Public Meeting on the Great Lakes

The International Joint Commission, which helps regulate use of the Great Lakes, sought answers at a public meeting held in March 2017 at the WNED | WBFO studios.

The commission is responsible for making recommendations to the U.S. and Canadian governments about how to address the challenges facing the Great Lakes.

But to do that, according to U.S. Chair Lana Pollack, they need an opportunity to listen to the public, the people on the ground. That’s why she and three other commissioners came to the WNED | WBFO studios as part of multi-city tour.

"So, what we're here today to do is hear from some experts, and I know I will learn from those experts, hear from the public, and I know we'll all learn from each other," she told the crowd.

The meeting included presentations from eight experts, including academics, local officials, business advocates and representatives from environmental groups. They covered a wide range of issues facing the lakes.

Throughout the presentations, three major themes emerged: pollution, access and habitat restoration. But presenters talked about their own progress addressing these challenges.

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